Homebrew Dirgeborn Species Details
Born of unholy unions between the living and the undead, or wrought into existence when mortals are dragged back from the grave, the Dirgeborn are forever marked by death’s embrace. They exist in a twilight state between life and undeath, bearing the pallor of the grave and the whispers of the beyond.
The Dirgeborn are creatures caught between life and death, their very existence forged from the mingling of mortal vitality and the cold essence of undeath. This duality makes them unnaturally hardy and enduring—their bodies often recover from wounds that would cripple or kill ordinary mortals, and they possess an unsettling raw strength that speaks to the lingering power of their undead heritage. Their resilience allows them to push past exhaustion, resist death’s grasp, and endure in ways their living kin cannot.
Yet, this same unnatural presence works against them in social circles. Dirgeborn lack the warmth and vitality that make mortals approachable. Their voices often carry a hollow timbre, their smiles reveal unsettlingly sharp teeth, and their eyes reflect something not entirely alive. Others instinctively recoil from them, finding it difficult to trust or be charmed by their eerie demeanor. Thus, while they are stronger and more resilient than most, their unnatural aura makes them far less charismatic, isolating them from the living communities they may long to join.
Some Dirgeborn are born from dark cults or the grief of mortals who consorted with revenants, wights, or ghasts. Others were once ordinary people who fell to blade, disease, or accident, only to be unnaturally resurrected. Such souls never return whole—the grave claims part of them, reshaping flesh and spirit until they join the ranks of the Dirgeborn.
Shunned by most societies and regarded as eerie half-creatures, many Dirgeborn become wanderers, outcasts, or adventurers. Some seek redemption, others vengeance. A rare few embrace their curse, wielding the power of both life and death.
Dirgeborn Traits
“Neither of the living, nor wholly of the dead.”Ability Score Increase and Decrease
Dirgeborn are unnaturally hardy and possess an unsettling raw strength. This unusual presence works against them in more social circles as they lack warmth and vitality that makes mortals approachable.
Age
Dirgeborn mature at the same rate as their mortal kin, but live about 50% longer. Those transformed into Dirgeborn upon resurrection resume life at the same age they died, but their bodies cease aging normally for 1d10 years, after which aging resumes at a slowed rate.
Alignment
Dirgeborn walk the line between order and chaos, good and evil. Those who embrace their cursed second life often skew toward evil, while those seeking redemption or belonging lean toward good.
Size
Dirgeborn are roughly the same size as their living parent, though their undead blood prevents extremes. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
You can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Menacing
You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Bite
Your unnatural maw is a weapon. You can make an unarmed strike with your bite, dealing 1d6 + Strength modifier piercing damage on a hit. Strengthens to 1d8 + Strength modifier at 8th level.
Undead Fortitude
When damage reduces you to 0 hit points but doesn’t kill you outright, you can make a Constitution saving throw (DC 5 + damage taken). On a success, you drop to 1 hit point instead. Radiant damage and critical hits bypass this trait. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. [roll]1d20[/roll]
The Living Dead
Choose whether effects targeting undead or living creatures affect you. You are still a humanoid for all other purposes.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one additional language of your choice.
Dirgeborn Origin
-
Born of the Grave. Your existence stems from the unholy union of a mortal and a sapient undead, such as a revenant or ghast.
-
Dragged from Death. You once lived as mortal, but resurrection magic—or darker rites—pulled you from the grave and remade you as Dirgeborn. Your soul is never whole again.
Deathless Instinct
Those who possess deathless instinct walk the line between life and death, their bodies animated not by blood and breath, but by stubborn necrotic will. This unnatural resilience manifests in moments of crisis, when sheer force of will or the lingering power of undeath denies what should be a final blow.
At the brink of defeat, a surge of unholy vitality floods your form, holding you together where flesh and bone should fail. When your bite draws blood, it does more than harm—it feeds the magic that sustains your lingering existence.
Deathless Instinct is not a gift. It is a curse endured, a power seized, or a state forced upon you by dark forces. But once awakened, it becomes part of you. And it does not let go.
Comments